Investigation on the carbon sequestration capacity of vegetation along a heavy traffic load expressway. (1st July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fu, Dafang; Bu, Bei; Wu, Jiaguo; Singh, Rajendra Prasad
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 241(2019)
• Page Start: 549
• Page End: 557
• Publication Date: 2019-07-01
• Subjects: Carbon sequestration -- Greenhouse gases -- Carbon emission -- Roadside vegetation -- Shanghai-Nanjing G42 expressway; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.09.098
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: Carbon sequestration by vegetation plays an important role in the global carbon cycle. More emphasis on the carbon sequestration of roadside vegetation will help to reduce the total carbon emissions from the transportation sector. In the current study, the Shanghai-Nanjing G42 expressway in east China was selected to investigate and calculate the carbon sequestration of roadside vegetation including trees, shrubs and herbs. Findings of the current study revealed that the total carbon sequestration of all the vegetation was about 97, 000 tons per year. Results also indicated that trees have a higher carbon sequestration capacity (γ) in unit land area compared to shrubs and herbs. The γ value of most of the shrubs was lower than that of tree; however, species such as Nerium indicum, Jasminum mesnyi and Forsythia suspense have better carbon sequestration capacity than some other tree species. The γ value of herbs was too low, compared with trees and shrubs. The findings of the current study will be of great benefit to make the vegetation planting strategy for express highways in the areas with similar geographic characteristics and climate. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Carbon sequestration capacity of vegetation along an expressway was studied. Carbon sequestration capacity of trees, shrubs and herbs was investigated. Results reveal that the carbon sequestration capacity of trees and shrubs was high. Current study provide optimization suggestions on carbon sequestration management during highway operations.